March has brought clear, cold nights and warmer daytime temperatures that melt the snow.
Sunset on February 27th and the moon setting on March 2nd.
It is an in-between time when the birds that have spent the winter depart and the early migrants may or may not have arrived. We had not seen diving ducks on the river below us for a few days. Because of the milder temperatures and open water, it was likely that they had moved north, getting closer to their breeding grounds.
Of course, the geese are always present and noisier now that they are pairing up and protective of their mates. We sometimes find a resident White-breasted Nuthatch in our neighbourhood.
We decided to check at Greenway Park for any lingering winter visitors. We found just a few dozing Common Mergansers and a female Goldeneye on the far side of the river.
Among the dozers, we were surprized to find an early arrival – a lone Pied-billed Grebe. This grebe may stay in the area or go farther north to breed.
There were few other birds active in the chilly wind that day apart from a Downy Woodpecker and small flock of Dark-eyed Juncos foraging.
All was quiet along the path until we came across a juvenile Red-tailed Hawk staring intently at its feet, raising a foot cautiously and pouncing back down with both feet. It was intent on what it was doing and seemed undisturbed by the few people who passed by on the trail.
It appeared that the bird had tried to capture some small prey that had escaped its grip. The young hawk looked bewildered and somewhat bereft. After further searching, it finally flew up to a nearby branch. We think that it must have been hungry and wondering where to look for its next meal.
Recently, we’ve noticed Weeping Willow trees glowing bright yellow in the sun. The hanging branches are lined with buds. This non-native tree thrives in wet soils. Willows are among the first woody plants to bloom in spring. The flowers of willows, called catkins, appear before the leaves.
Pussy Willows are North American native shrubs with catkins that are soft, fuzzy, silver-grey flower buds.
St Marys
On a day that promised to be sunny, we drove to St Marys, southwest of Stratford, Ontario, at the confluence of the north branch of the Thames River and Trout Creek. The town was settled in the 1840s and became a centre for milling, grain-trading and the manufacture of agricultural products. It is also note for a large limestone quarry that still supplies building materials.
As is often the case lately, there was a dense fog in the morning until the sun broke through to reveal blue skies.
The scenic town with trails across a former railway tressel and along the river was a perfect place for a walk.
As expected, the birds were few and far between, except for the inevitable Rock Pidgeons and Canada Geese.
Neil Sedaka 1939-2026
I remember hearing these songs on the radio and seeing Neil on television. I knew that Oh Carol was dedicated to Carol King, but I did not know she wrote a song in reply.
